I feel so terribly for a pack of kitties my daughter stumbled across along the catarac trail. She was able to catch one, whom we are currently housing...and I am lost as to what to do... I have 3 kitties to get shots next week, - I cant afford to have 4 get their shots next week..and the stray will need 2 more after that yet! plus neuturing.. $$$$ aagh!
There are another 20+ kitties back there, from newborn to adult all living behind a garage/reck yard off the path. I so feel like I should do something! But even if I caught them, where to take them? Im sure all the shelters are so full righ now, and look at the listings on this site! OMG, what a heartbreakign situation eh!?
So, does anyone know of a rescue that might help me out with the initial costs of this cat? I would foster him and try to find a home for him...and would likely become one of you failure foster moms lol...??
answers? suggestions? I am near Fergus Ont.
Thanks all!

spud

September 27th, 2007, 11:40 AM

another quick question: Does the worm pills that can be purchased from the pet store work ? Does it appropriately de-worm the kitties? The stray has been given a bath and scrubbed with tea tree oil shampoo for fleas...and his furr is really really soft now!! I clipped his nails, and got some worm pills from the pet store. He needs shots of course, and to be fixed - but - I am not able to do so until after Thanksgiving. Another question: how do people contract the worms that cats have? and how common is this? Thanks!

Love4himies

September 27th, 2007, 11:50 AM

I have always had the vet deworm my cats so I have never bought any store brands.

spud

September 27th, 2007, 12:05 PM

Hi Love4Himies
I too, have always used the vet. I have an appointment right after Thanksgiving and its quite the distance from here.. but I didnt want to wait that long to deworm/deflea him seeing as I have so many pets in my home. (4 cats, 5 guinea pigs, a hamster, 2 birds and some fish lol)

In the past the vets have always said they wont give out worm pills uless they have already been seen for their check up that year...so I wasnt even going to try that route...

anyone have any experience with "Sergeant's Vetscription Worm-away" ? It says it treats large roundworms....is that the only worm to be worried about?

kashtin's kin

September 28th, 2007, 12:15 AM

Hi Spud, no details re: the worming etc. in this post. I do hope you are checking in here on the BB, as you are fortunate enough to be close to the Elmira Cat Rescue. The gal that runs it is overstretched already, as these orgs always are, but she is an amazing cat guru (she routinely guides the less experienced in catching/livetrapping feral colonies of cats on farms, in town etc.)

I befriended/trapped/had 'vetted'/socialized a small family of ferals that showed up around my small farm a year ago. I knew little about ferals; this BB was incredibly helpful and supportive, and the Elmira Cat Rescue (and Pride Rescue in Hamilton) helped on a more in-person basis. If you're looking for general feral cat info, Alley Cat Allies in the States has a great website with tons of info.

For now, I'm going to pm you with the phone # and name of the Elmira Cat Rescue person (she has a website, which you can try...it's being upgraded). I would strongly urge you to give her a call; every cent of her modest living goes to the cats (you should SEE her place...it's a cat rescue heaven, not fancy but very functional and well-kept). She can't return many long-distance calls due to her budget, so do try to reach her; best to try before 8 or 9 a.m. or after 8 or 9 p.m.

I wish you all the best in continuing to nurture the one kitten you did get...I put 4 neuters/3 spays + shots re: ferals etc. on my Visa (eventually got it paid off!), and some vets will do payment plans and/or a break on multiples or ferals. It doesn't hurt to ask! I know the first year of a critters life is a bit more $ intensive, but after that it's not bad. We have other indoor cats/dogs/OUTside ponies, and are 'po folk', so we know the financial side well.

p.s. -worming is an issue, but general isolation of any new critter (feral-ish or not) is a good rule of thumb, until they've had some vet attention...ear mites are not uncommon in unattended outdoor cats, for example.
-if there is any chance at all, do think of giving this deserving kitten a home?!!...thanks for at least giving it a
chance!!

spud

September 28th, 2007, 07:13 AM

HI! Thanks for the info kashtin's kin
much appreciated!. Yes, I am falling in love with this little kitten..we have now named Peaches. And my heart can't bear to let him go anywhere (hubby is quickly warming up to the idea-but wants him fixed - like NOW- but sometimes the vets wont fix them until they have had all their shots...) I will have to insist on the neutering and book needle appointments as necessary..either that or he cant stay here (dont want him to spray-this would upset my 12 yr old male terrible, and the girls are already nervous around him (they are all fixed of course) ) Im sure some vet will fix him early for me...
the rest of the ferel kittens are of concern to me..and I would like to try catching them if I have resourses for them...so....thanks so much for the wonderful info in Elmira..I will investigate as soon as I catch some of these kitties (if possible) and YES, I am happy to think that I am keeping this little Peaches...hes so cute...but boy is he ever scratching the furnature and loves garbage....

sugarcatmom

September 28th, 2007, 08:32 AM

The stray has been given a bath and scrubbed with tea tree oil shampoo for fleas...and his furr is really really soft now!!

Firstly, I just want to commend you for caring about these kitties. I'm sure Peaches will now have the chance for a much better life. I do want to warn you about using tea tree oil on cats, however. There are documented cases of it being toxic to felines, especially kittens and ill adults. Here's some more info:
http://www.messybeast.com/teatree.htm
http://www.holisticat.com/essoils_arch.html

spud

September 28th, 2007, 09:00 AM

Thanks for the info : Interesting cases. Although many cat owners have no ill affects from using tea tree oil there are a few cases where it was toxic indeed...and it appears as though using 100% pure tea tree oil and allowing the cat to ingest it, was the issue for some.
I will heed this cautionary tale...fortunatly I used tea tree oil shampoo for which is not as potent and I only used a drop of 100% on his neck (which he cannot lick) AND fortunatly I blew dried him well and he did not have to ingest much..and has no ill affects...only realllly soft, healthy skin and no fleas!~
Normally what I would do is use advantage from the vet...but this was a quick solution and allowed him to stay in the house in the meantime. I use tea tree oil on my guinea pigs also, and it effectively treated lice/fleas and also made their skin/hair soft and healthy...I hope there are no cases of it killing guineas !!
Also interesting about that link, is that vets are unaware of its possible ill affects.... I hope these studies get published for vets/specialists/internet resourses start to recongnize the negative results.
Thanks again! and yes, he is a sweet kittie..Im really happy to have him and that my hubby isnt too upset about his arrival..

kashtin's kin

September 28th, 2007, 02:40 PM

So happy :goodvibes: to hear this kitty seems to have found a home with you, Spuds, you kitty :angel:. You know what they say about "cats finding their people"!

With regard to spraying, not sure how old this kitten is, but with my feral boy, he hadn't started spraying at 6 mos.-at which point he was neutered. In Europe, it seems they are advocating earlier spaying, i.e. before 6 mos. You could ask your vet about his policy...

I've read a bit on this BB (and Googled it) about a product called 'Feliway'; it's supposed to neutralize pheremones or something, thus making integration of cats easier. Must ask cat guru :cat: Susan about that; I think some folks on the BB found it helped.

Anyhow, just glad to hear things are going okay, and that your little fella seems to have picked the right person :lovestruck:!! Good for you for giving him a 'life' (i.e. much longer, nicer); I'm sure-although he may drive you nuts at times...I know ours do!! :D), he will add lots of love and laffs to your household. :thumbs up

spud

October 4th, 2007, 06:13 AM

Took Peaches to the vet on Monday, got him all his shots adn some revolution to take care of all those bugs n stuff and also got him a tape worm pill. Hes all set. I came home and treated all my other animals too, just to be safe. Peaches will go in in a month and get fixed and his booster. The vet was more than fair..the whole visit was only $55, plus I bought a full box of revolution which was more than our visit lol. BTW..HE said the worm away i gave was fine but wouldnt treat the more common woms like tape worm.
I wish the vet could do something to help the other ferals...like fix that Daddy cat and mommy cat to start...
but i suppose we would have to fund that somehow..although hes willing to do it free, just gotta pay for the meds that go with it...so if we raise a bit of money perhaps we will catch them and have them fixed and released. I will NOT callthe humane society..as I feel that will be the end of them..and the shelters are full and so is my house..so, that is the best I can do.

Love4himies

October 4th, 2007, 11:06 AM

That's great news, Spud, sounds like you have a real good vet that cares for animals, not just lining their pockets.

kashtin's kin

October 5th, 2007, 12:23 AM

Thanks for the :thumbs up update, Spud. That's really good news re: the kitty you saved :angel: !! I know it's frustrating to think of the rest of the feral colony, but nice to know your vet is willing to cut you some slack on spay/neuter. Gonna pm you again...:D.

ellendar

October 15th, 2007, 05:30 PM

It would be irresponsible to release a feral kitten not immunized please contact feral cat solutions they will spay and neuter this cat and other feralds very inexpensively about |$20.00 a cat and if you care about the cats volunteer to set the needed traps once they are altered they can be released to live out their natural lives without contributing to the problem
yoiur daughter might want to volunteer in this capacity and will be doing a lot of good, you can start your own committee to deal with the feral cat situation in your community by contavting your state secretary of state for a non profit corporatrion form to start a committee, then you can do fundraising to raise money to help capyture these cats to get them immunized altered and released, don't turn youtr back sometimes you are the solution, she never stumbled across these cats she was led to them by a higher power, one you cannot ignore. SDon't expexct anyone to help withouit your involvement do the right thing get informed and contribute your energy to this a non profit corporation can issue tax deductible recepts to those who donate and can hold fundraisers- turkey raffles, silent auctions before you know it your involved with a very wonderful solution

ellendar

October 15th, 2007, 05:38 PM

they will direct you to feral cat solutions to help the colony get trapped and altered and released do it now

kashtin's kin

October 15th, 2007, 06:26 PM

Hi Spud, hope things are going okay, feral-wise. ellender has a lot of great info and advice on the feral front ('good on you'-as the aussies say??!-ellendar! :thumbs up). Unfortunately, Spud and I live in Canada, where legislation/non-profits etc. are not the same as our neighbours to the south, i.e. $20 spays are not a reality here (if they exist, I'd like to know where!!).

Cat rescue groups do exist around the country (Canada), but we lack a national organization such as Alley Cat Allies in Maryland; they are kind enough to share info with us, which is helpful :D. I believe the level of concern regarding feral cats is no less here than it is in the U.S., but in my unscientific research I've found that there do seem to be more s/n low-cost programs/clinics in the States...